Hawka, use control with the space bar.

Bets

OK thank you, will try that.

Using my game pad, it's space bar with left click as Bets says.

Easy to forget when you haven't played in a while.

Bets

Okay, how did you kill the Ninions on the other side of the gate?

First, use that Waters of Vigor to keep your health bubbles purple as long as possible. If I remember correctly, I used Sting and the jump attacks on the really big creepy thing. I'll have to play it again, but I think once you kill him the other ones quit spawning.

Wow, I'm gonna need all the help I can get.

It's a humdinger of a battle, that's for sure. The health mushrooms respawn, but they're awfully slow. Sometimes I just keep running around trying to dodge the shots coming at me until they pop up again. I can usually get the big thing down to half his health bar or less before the Waters of Vigor run out. You can always take out some of the blue guys to get more colored crystals for points. Let me know if you need a save!

Okay, I'll try again.

Edit: Not having good luck at all.

I think I need a saved game.

CYE!

Thanks Drac

Bets

Yeah, thanks Drac. Will try them tomorrow.

L4L, are you playing this?

No not right now--but I'm glad that as always our members provided the help I couldn't

Got the big spider.

Good! So that must have been the correct save I sent. That's one spider down and 2 more to go if you're where the dwarves are trussed up...

EEEEEK more spiders. It looks like they multiply, the bigger ones, that is. The save is by Balens belt.

Ohhhh..... So you haven't gotten to the REALLY big spiders, just the sort of big spiders...

Ooooo, you are evil. Tell me the best way to fight these devils.

When you get there, you'll know to stay up high as long as you can!

So how is the best way to fight the sorta big spiders?

If you're talking about all the spiders that come after you in droves, I used Sting and the jump attack. The staff doesn't do too bad either when you swing it around. My favorite if you can get up high is to pelt them with rocks.

Okay.

What kind of a mouse are you using? I think some of my problems is mine.

The last couple of times I played, I was using a Logitech wireless mouse. Right now I'm using a Razer Death Adder.

Is it faster then a regular mouse. I am using a G.E. optical cordless mouse. I'll try setting the speed up on it and see if that helps

I managed to get through the first spider web area but am having trouble where I pick up the freeze rocks.

When I played it last Fall I used a normal Logitech mouse and can't remember how I finally finished Flies and Spiders. Once you get out of there you will be in A Warm Welcome which gives you a breather from all the critters. Something to look forward to.

I will see if I can find Balens Belt save area in my saves later on.

Edit here: looked at a w/t and found there is one more chapter between Flies and Welcome called Barrels out of Bond. Meanwhile I am still stuck on the ramps, can move them, just not run fast enough to make it back to the opposite side.

I use the Death Adder too - have for 3+ years - it's great. Blazing fast response.
Sometimes just a new mousepad helps - the moving around part, that is.

I have quite a few saves near Balens Belt, some he says nothing, one of them he says something about it. Right after that there is a pod in the corner and the spider web to break to get into the area with the high ledges, etc. Lots of ropes to go up, down and across, I tended to get lost, but saved all over the place til I got out of there. At least you can climb up, then look around to find the best place to go, the spiders are relentless but it can be done Flutist.

I totally agree Yankee Clipper. Until I got my Sphex mouse surface - it's really not a pad - I had no idea how much better response I would get from my mouse. That includes both my Death Adder and my Logitech wireless.

I found another mouse pad. It is hard and the surface is more slick. Will try it out on The Hobbit this afternoon.

I hope it will work better for you. I know since I got my Razer Sphex mousepad, my Death Adder glides like silk, but it still isn't too slick.

Still can't get those darned spiders. I can get to the ramp going up to the next level of spiders but loose health in the process.

You might try running back up the tunnel once you trigger them. Sometimes only a few at a time will come after you instead of a hoard. I actually find the big ones easier to kill than the little ones - especially the nasty green poisonous ones. I try to kill all the little ones first and stay as far up the tunnel as possible. That way the big ones don't come after me at the same time. Once I kill off all the little ones, a jump attack on the big ones will knock them over - then run in and whack away with Sting. Usually just a few whacks will get them.

I'll bet I spent 2 days on this part the first time I played!

Okay, thanks for the suggestion. I'll try that.

Edit: That worked. I got them. Now I am ready to go up to the next level where the big ones are.

All right, now I need some suggestions. I cut down the last of the dwarfs and I get the cut scene where I am surrounded by the big spiders and it is a timed sequence. What is the best way to beat them?

It's not a timed sequence, but there is a health bar for the really big spider. You will have to kill three big ones - a blue one, a red one and the final one, Shelob. You can kill the first two by jumping up on the ledges and pelting them with rocks. You will have to jump down to replenish rocks or pick up health mushrooms several times. For the most part you can run around the outside of the room and avoid them.

You get fire rocks for one of them which are VERY effective. For Shelob you will get ice rocks which will freeze them so you can run up and whack at them and then run back to the ledge. You can only kill her when she rears up so you can whack her underbelly.

The rocks respawn for a never-ending supply.

Oh boy, sounds like I got some fun ahead. Thanks Drac.

Where do I get the fire and ice rocks? None of my rocks seem to work.

I don't think you get the fire rocks until the 2nd big spider sister. You will get the ice rocks with the 3rd and final spider sister.

If you don't jump down and whack away at the spiders every now and then, it will take a long time to get them with just rocks. Watch the little triangle above the lesser spiders - it's a little health meter to tell you if you've damaged them at all. If you have, you should be able to jump down and get them with just one whack.

Okay, will try that.

Now I am fighting the big red spider and nothing seems to fazz her.

Is that the third one? If that's her, you have to hit her with freeze rocks, then run up and whack her underbelly. Of course, then run back to a ledge!

She is one tough spider. Still haven't gotten her.

She will go down, eventually. I ran around and came back to give her a belly whack, over and over, be persistent.

I can't run fast enough to get to the mushrooms and get more health.

Try getting on a low ledge that is close to some health mushrooms. Hit her with a freeze rock, then jump down to get them.

I keep running out of health. I'm gonna try again today.

I have got her health down to about half and can't seem to get any further. Managing to keep Gilbo's health up. Throwing rocks is slow and sometimes not very accurate even using the F key. Any suggestions?

If you can get her health down that far, and Bilbo's health is up, that's the time to grab some freeze rocks, smack her with a few of them, then jump down and run up and do a couple of jump attacks and get as much damage in as you can before you run back to your ledge. It shouldn't take more than three or four times if she's down that far.

Hah, so you say!!!!!!! I've tried that.

I've always got a save if you get sick of fighting her! To me, that part was more of a long slog than anything.

Heading in town to get some Mexican. I will check with you later tonight...

Send me the save. I will put it in if I can't get her tomorrow.

I am now in Barrels Out Of Band. I need the second key which I can't find. Any suggestions?

Head inside! You don't need any keys to do that.

I can't head into the door, it won't open

Did you go up to the stand in front of the door? I think it might have a purple crystal in it. That's what triggers the door to open.

Got it. Will continue tomorrow.

Okay, I really need some help. I am in the courtyard and trying to get back to the barrel room. The green vine I need to get to is too high to jump to. I have tried quite a few spots jumping to it but just can't reach it. Does anyone have any suggestions.

Bets

You're right - you can't jump up to it - you have to be up on a mound. Make sure you are on the right side of the main doors over by the little river. The last mound on the right has a little ramp where you can run up to the top of the mound. The green vine hanging in front of the tunnel entrance is the one you can jump to and then from the vine to the tunnel entrance.

I can see the tunnel entrance from the mound I am standing on. If I turn to the right a little, there is a big tree. Is that the right mound? The green vine is still too far up for me to jump up to.

I don't know if this will work. I uploaded a picture to Photobucket. The green vine is one of those that "rustles" and comes down the first time you jump on it. You should have used it to get out of the tunnel the first time after Lianna gave you the web burning potion. And I was wrong - if it's down, you can actually jump on it from the ground.

See if this works... Hobbit

EDIT: I just checked and if you didn't make the green vine come down when you first came out of the tunnel, you can always go back in the front door and take the long way around down to the stockade.

Thanks Drac!

It worked. I think I jumped down when I came out. I can always replay. Thanks Drac.

Woo Hoo and Bravo

Okay, I replayed and you were right Drac. No probs getting back. Now I gotta let the dwarves out.

Oooo... you went back and did the spiders again! You must be getting good at killing them!

Got about all those nasty froggy thingies. Now I'm climbing vines and trying to get all the goodies. Wheeeee.

There is one of those green rustling vines that you need to get down in case you fall. It's at the end of the first part of the cavern. And look for some vines on the faces of one of the pillars to climb up on the end where you first come in. Fun, fun, fun!

:chocobunny: :chocobunny: I freed the dwarves and am now in the next chapter, A Warm Welcom.

Bets

How warm is it?

Nice and warm.

Wait!!!!

Eek. I'm trying to get out of the warehouse.

Eek, indeed!!

Any suggestions as to how to get out of there. I see a vine but can't get to it. And which color should the switches be?

Depends on where you are in the warehouse. The first part is just where you find the Goblins... is that where you are? The switches are blue and turn green after you use them. If you are in the first part, there should be three brown ropes swinging around above you if you have used all the switches. You will have to get up to the platform on the left (facing towards the exit) and grab the ropes as they swing towards you to finally get back to the exit.

Let me know if that's not where you are.

Remember to break all the gray boxes to get goodies and that you can move the box in the middle of the second room around to get to the higher platform.

Yes, that is where I am at. I will keep trying. I have moved that box all over the place.

Edit: There is a switch to my right, way up high as I come out th door where I got the box I can push but I can't get up there. I have only been able to change 2 switches so far. I assume they are supposed to be green. There is a brown vince near there but I can't get to that either.

That is a tricky jump to make. You have to get up high and the only way up there is by using the stationary boxes on the left in the first room. If I remember correctly, you have to use a "stick jump" to get across to the platform where you see that other switch. Once you pull that switch, all the brown ropes will come down. BUT, you can't reach them from the floor - you have to go up to the platforms. I'll go check to make sure I'm right - I'm taking a break from painting anyway.

EDIT: Nope, not quite right. You have to pull the switch in the second room to bring down a rope which will allow you to get from the platform on the left in the first room to the one in the center at the back of the room. Then you can pull the switch that lets down the third rope. I remember the last jump to the rope at the entrance being a tough one - can't remember which platform you have to make it from.

I have that rope pulled down but can never get close enough to it. Do I try to get it from the board that is leaning against a crate?

Edit: Got it, now to my next quest.

Good for you!

I'm having a great time. This level is fun.

YaY Bets, onward and upward!

At least I was till I got to the puzzle where I have to figure out how to set the walkways to get from the upper left to the lower right.

I think you're in the same place that drove Hawka to distraction! Are these the walkways floating in the water?

It is the platforms where you have to find the Black Arrow.

Hmm.... I'm drawing a blank on "setting walkways" in this part if they're not the one floating in the water. Have you done the part where you have to go to all the thieves houses yet?

Hah, I am still stuck on the platforms over the water, but I haven't tried for awhile.

I got the first one Hawka, but am stopped on the second one. If I work it, I will let you know.

Thanks, I finally got the first one in time and haven't moved the second set of platforms correctly yet. Splash!!

I got it set, now I just have to make the dash before the door closes. Gonna go try again.

Gone all day today and probably tomorrow too, let me know the pattern for the left hand side when you master it.

Anyone got any suggestions as to making it from the top left to the bottom right? I can't seem to run fast enough even with control jumping with the stick.

Got it.

I've been watching to see if you got it! Excellent...

I got the Black Sword, now I am trying to get out. Haven't had time to play the past few days.

Okay, here we go again Drac. I planted my two tomatoes yesterday. I can just hear you laughing.

You're right! I had Dave plow up another 50 x 50 plot in the pasture for my tomatoes this year. I need to rotate because of early blight and I didn't have enough room. I just moved my 200+ tomatoes down under the grow lights. Two weeks there and a week to harden off and off to the new garden plot they go!

Have fun in the town in the Hobbit, because Smaug's lair is next!!

Trying to get the Golden Cup. Not going to be easy. Will continue tomorrow.

I have played it both ways, but I would suggest defeating Smaug and then spending all your time ransacking the place with no threats.

Thanks Drac

Bets

What do you use to kill him and how?

I should have been more clear - you have to get him so mad he leaves his lair so you can loot at will. I won't spoil how he gets killed.

First you have to get Thror's cup and go back to the dwarves. Make sure you talk to each of the dwarves as some of them have special items they want you find for them in Smaug's lair. They are worth tons of XPs.

After you get the cup and talk to the dwarves, go back in and make your way to the top of the highest "chandelier." Great cutscene and then a run for your life! There are three levels in the lair with tons of chests, switches and loot.

Got the cup, now I have to find my way back out.

Going out to lunch with Susie so don't think I will get to it today.

Any way of keeping the ring on longer so I can get past the dragons poison breath?

Short answer... Nope! You just have to time your runs to get behind something when he's getting ready to "belch fire." Wait until the ring regenerates and then run to the next pillar or whatever.

Okay, thankee. That is what I figured.

Edit: So, how long did it take you to get past him?